What do you think?
Rate this book
Ally's World #2
Dates, Double Dates and Big, Big Trouble
Ally's feeling inadequate. Her only romantic experience amounts to a burping-in-mouth scenario with Keith Brownlow, but Kyra's only been in Crouch End two seconds and she's got herself a boyfriend! Even Ally's dad seems to be 'dating' - has he forgotten all about her mum. Still, Ally's not sure what's more worrying: not having a boyfriend, or being invited on a double date with Kyra, Ricardo and Ricardo's mystery mate...
182 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2001
5 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Karen McCombie
181 books193 followersKaren McCombie is a bestselling author of children's and young adult novels, and has had more than 90 books published. She is the author of the much-loved series 'Ally's World' (early 2000s) and her most recent books include the Carnegie-nominated historical adventure 'Little Bird Flies' (2019) and it's newly published partner novel 'Little Bird Lands' (2020, Nosy Crow Books), plus the 'St Grizzle's School' series for younger readers (Stripes). She has several books publishing in 2021.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 21, 2023
Like the first book in the series, this is engaging and enjoyable overall, but it does suffer in places. I was reminded that Sandie becomes at times actually unlikable through her jealousy and possessiveness, which is only touched upon here; there will be more! Still, at least her being ill throughout the story means that she's out of the whole boyfriend/girlfriend business, which is always off-putting when characters of thirteen go on about it too much, and a couple of them even indulge in 'some serious snogging'.
Then there's the mystery of who Dad is phoning and occasionally going out to meet. Oh dear! I remember now that Ally sometimes lets herself down, and her leaping to ridiculous conclusions here is one of those times. What's more, both her sisters go right along with it, even when (no surprises here) the mystery caller turns out to be someone their father absolutely would not be romantically involved with. Tor handles the whole thing better than anyone, despite his big sisters keeping things from him in order to 'protect' him (a mistake that Ally does acknowledge, at least). For his attitude towards the whole thing, his astuteness and his confidence in his dad, little Tor really is the hero of this book.
Then there's the mystery of who Dad is phoning and occasionally going out to meet. Oh dear! I remember now that Ally sometimes lets herself down, and her leaping to ridiculous conclusions here is one of those times. What's more, both her sisters go right along with it, even when (no surprises here) the mystery caller turns out to be someone their father absolutely would not be romantically involved with. Tor handles the whole thing better than anyone, despite his big sisters keeping things from him in order to 'protect' him (a mistake that Ally does acknowledge, at least). For his attitude towards the whole thing, his astuteness and his confidence in his dad, little Tor really is the hero of this book.
November 15, 2013
**GENERAL REVIEW FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES**
Aww, man....
I started reading these books when I was about nine years old. I don't think I even read them in order at first, just got whichever ones I could find out of my schools library. I loved them. LOVED.
Eventually I figured out the order and filled in the gaps. And then proceeded to read the entire series about five times over. Those were the times.
Ally was my spirit animal in those days. She was a little awkward, wasn't quite sure where she fit into her family, had a nice group of friends but only a special few that she considered best friends. She was unlucky in love, to say the least. That's not even mentioning all of the unbelievably embarrassing moments.
Coupled with a few other series, these books pretty much sum up my childhood reading. I think my heart sank a little when I realised I was reading the last one.
Aww, man....
I started reading these books when I was about nine years old. I don't think I even read them in order at first, just got whichever ones I could find out of my schools library. I loved them. LOVED.
Eventually I figured out the order and filled in the gaps. And then proceeded to read the entire series about five times over. Those were the times.
Ally was my spirit animal in those days. She was a little awkward, wasn't quite sure where she fit into her family, had a nice group of friends but only a special few that she considered best friends. She was unlucky in love, to say the least. That's not even mentioning all of the unbelievably embarrassing moments.
Coupled with a few other series, these books pretty much sum up my childhood reading. I think my heart sank a little when I realised I was reading the last one.
July 3, 2022
Krasojízda pokračuje a Alice opět píše mamince o příhodách rodiny. Je to praštěné, uhozené, ale prostě lidské. A opět oceňuji, jak reálně to působí. Alice je správná ulítlá puberťačka, které tady vidíme přímo do hlavy. A mne to prostě baví. Nijak afektované, prostě jak ze života. Trable s láskou, starosti o taťku, který se chová divně... to všechno tu je. A já si to užila.
Pro mne je tohle fajn odpočinkové čtivo na léto. Vracím se tím do mládí, bavím se, tu a tam se pobaveně ušklíbnu či dokonce zasměju. Jasně, nebudu předstírat, že je to nějaká velká literatura, protože fakt není. Ale tak člověk čas od času potřebuje vypnout u něčeho jednoduššího, co ale dokáže potěšit a pobavit, no ne? :-) A to tahle série pro mne splňuje.
Pro mne je tohle fajn odpočinkové čtivo na léto. Vracím se tím do mládí, bavím se, tu a tam se pobaveně ušklíbnu či dokonce zasměju. Jasně, nebudu předstírat, že je to nějaká velká literatura, protože fakt není. Ale tak člověk čas od času potřebuje vypnout u něčeho jednoduššího, co ale dokáže potěšit a pobavit, no ne? :-) A to tahle série pro mne splňuje.
May 14, 2024
Druhá kniha ze série se věnuje vztahům a lásce, ale jelikož se bavíme o třináctiletých, žádnou intimitu nebo romantiku nečekejte. Čtenářům jsou mile ukázány Aliciny představy o chození, které se paradoxně shodují s těmi mými, ačkoliv nás dělí sedm let. Souhlasím s tím, že kluci jsou především zvláštní podivná stvoření, na které není radno se vázat, ale jejich absence vás občas zasáhne.
Co jsem zapomněla zmínit u předešlé recenze, je menší nedokonalost překladu. Ačkoliv je to literatura pro dospívající a chápu překladatelčinu snahu odlehčit jazyk, kterým je to psané, podle mě by neuškodilo psát knihu spisovně. Hovorová čeština je pro tento typ knih charakteristická, ale občas mi přijde, že je zbytečně na sílu. Také mě mate překladatelčina interpunkce nebo závorky, ale jelikož na to nejsem žádný expert, nebudu ji soudit příliš přísně. Docela se těším na Alicin svět v angličtině, pokud další díly seženu. Zajímá mě originální verze jmen a míst, které jsou v knize zmíněny.
Líbí se mi vztahová situace v rodině Love, kdy věčně napjatý vztah sester ustupuje do pozadí, pokud by to mělo ohrozit spokojenost jejich táty. Postava Martina Lovea by si zasloužila knihu sama pro sebe, protože takovéhoto muže a otce by jeden pohledal. Malý Tor je pak třešničkou na dortu.
Co jsem zapomněla zmínit u předešlé recenze, je menší nedokonalost překladu. Ačkoliv je to literatura pro dospívající a chápu překladatelčinu snahu odlehčit jazyk, kterým je to psané, podle mě by neuškodilo psát knihu spisovně. Hovorová čeština je pro tento typ knih charakteristická, ale občas mi přijde, že je zbytečně na sílu. Také mě mate překladatelčina interpunkce nebo závorky, ale jelikož na to nejsem žádný expert, nebudu ji soudit příliš přísně. Docela se těším na Alicin svět v angličtině, pokud další díly seženu. Zajímá mě originální verze jmen a míst, které jsou v knize zmíněny.
Líbí se mi vztahová situace v rodině Love, kdy věčně napjatý vztah sester ustupuje do pozadí, pokud by to mělo ohrozit spokojenost jejich táty. Postava Martina Lovea by si zasloužila knihu sama pro sebe, protože takovéhoto muže a otce by jeden pohledal. Malý Tor je pak třešničkou na dortu.
August 14, 2023
This one was a big lighter-weight than the first (it's something of a Shaggy Dog plot), but I am not reading or rating these objectively, but with the heavy nostalgia goggles strapped tight to my head.
I like the development between Ally and Billy, as well as the reveals about Ally's mother. I'm going to have to try to hunt down the rest of this series, because these are fun!
I like the development between Ally and Billy, as well as the reveals about Ally's mother. I'm going to have to try to hunt down the rest of this series, because these are fun!
April 7, 2023
Série: Alice a ... .Tuto sérii jsem naprosto milovala.Alice je velmi vtipná a blázen.Oblíbila jsem si celou rodinu a mimo to i Alfieho.Rozhodně doporučuji sice je Alice 13 let,ale myslím,že knížku si můžou přečíst i starší. ;)
November 24, 2024
"With the top of the bus to myself and the carpet of lights of London spread out down below, it was kind of like being on a Disneyland ride."
"'And that light over there? That's the Telecom Tower, in the West End.'"
BT Tower mentioned, 5 stars.
"'And that light over there? That's the Telecom Tower, in the West End.'"
BT Tower mentioned, 5 stars.
February 17, 2020
Still fun today
May 3, 2021
A very entertaining novel to have a good time with.
June 26, 2008
I am reading this book at the minute as i have just read the first book, "the past, the present, and the loud, loud girl" and i decided to read the sequel.Like before, i am enjoying this book but i dont think it is as good as the first book, it doesnt seem as funny and as good to read.
These books are very good to read because you dont really have to think about it- they are nice and simple and not too challenging.
I HAve now read this book... i am not sure whether i like it or not as much as the first one but i stilll enjoyed reading it as it is easy and funny. I would like to read the third book.
These books are very good to read because you dont really have to think about it- they are nice and simple and not too challenging.
I HAve now read this book... i am not sure whether i like it or not as much as the first one but i stilll enjoyed reading it as it is easy and funny. I would like to read the third book.
March 3, 2011
OMG lolz x1000000000
so funny, it's unbelievable. it's a perfect balance where you got loads of funny bits but not too many so that it gets a bit unrealistic; brilliant. it's a book i can relate to; i suspected my mum of dating someone when she started being on the phone for really long stretches of time, and i would hear a quiet knock on the door in the middle of the night and then the door opening and closing. i knew months before she told me and introduced me, though i never told her i knew untill about three years afterwards when he was still around, and still is today, haha
so funny, it's unbelievable. it's a perfect balance where you got loads of funny bits but not too many so that it gets a bit unrealistic; brilliant. it's a book i can relate to; i suspected my mum of dating someone when she started being on the phone for really long stretches of time, and i would hear a quiet knock on the door in the middle of the night and then the door opening and closing. i knew months before she told me and introduced me, though i never told her i knew untill about three years afterwards when he was still around, and still is today, haha
October 12, 2016
This was my first introduction to this series, and I think it's a fun, clean look at the challenges of teenage girls. Working with middle schoolers, I am consistently looking for books that are engaging, clean, and funny. While I don't feel this one teaches any "life lessons" beyond "Don't jump to conclusions," it is a fun, easy read.
February 11, 2010
Dad is seeing someone. Like a Woman Someone. And it can't be our mum, because she's off travelling the world. There's only one thing for it - serious sisterly espionage. Hey, I know it's sneaky, but we have to uncover the awful (cringe-worthy) truth...
August 9, 2013
The author was really able to wind in all the suspicion and clues that Dad was seeing someone, and depicted the emotions of the family quite well, I think. Also liked some of the Alfie/Ally stuff slotted in!
October 3, 2015
I really liked this book, the level of this book is quite high but it's not a hard book. Also it was quite funny how Ally and her sisters thought that their dad has girlfriend. I would recommend this book to most of the teenagers
September 24, 2010
This has got to be one of the best books EVER! the Others are other ally's world! But I will change ma mind!
Read
September 2, 2011Very good
Read
January 23, 2014good.
October 21, 2016
3.5 stars.
February 20, 2017
Love this series so much!
June 13, 2015
funny and very enjoyable
July 30, 2017
Normally in young adult books we only focus on the relationships of the main character and those around them. We rarely see how other people in their lives are getting on, they're normally just already in a relationship or destined to be single forever throughout the entire series. This didn't happen here.
Throughout this book we explore the relationships of Ally's father (who has started taking mysterious calls to a woman and getting dressed up to meet a "plumber friend" down the pub), we also see Ally's grandmother even getting in on the fun as she goes on a few dates!
We also get to delve deeper into her relationship with her best friend Billy, instead of her suddenly developing feelings for him (which I hope doesn't happen in the rest of the series which would make it a cliche) we see how they've been friends for years and how they can have a laugh with each other.
These books are really fast and short reads, they are fun and I enjoy reading about life from Ally's point of view. Although these books are aimed at teenagers Ally still acts mature so there's no stupid decisions that as an adult you look on and thing ugh not another stupid teenager. It is actually fun to read about her life and I think that is something you rarely get nowadays in teenage books.
Again I would definitely recommend this book/series. I hope it carries on in this fun, fast paced read throughout the series and I can't wait to read more
Read more on my blog at: https://bookgeek2015.wordpress.com/
Throughout this book we explore the relationships of Ally's father (who has started taking mysterious calls to a woman and getting dressed up to meet a "plumber friend" down the pub), we also see Ally's grandmother even getting in on the fun as she goes on a few dates!
We also get to delve deeper into her relationship with her best friend Billy, instead of her suddenly developing feelings for him (which I hope doesn't happen in the rest of the series which would make it a cliche) we see how they've been friends for years and how they can have a laugh with each other.
These books are really fast and short reads, they are fun and I enjoy reading about life from Ally's point of view. Although these books are aimed at teenagers Ally still acts mature so there's no stupid decisions that as an adult you look on and thing ugh not another stupid teenager. It is actually fun to read about her life and I think that is something you rarely get nowadays in teenage books.
Again I would definitely recommend this book/series. I hope it carries on in this fun, fast paced read throughout the series and I can't wait to read more
Read more on my blog at: https://bookgeek2015.wordpress.com/
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews